The Other Side of Midnight (24 page)
The Other Side of Midnight: Taxicab Stories
set out to understand St. John's taxicab drivers. This book presents some rare opportunities to travel some very odd roads. Taxicab drivers are neither saints nor swindlers. They are ordinary men and women who, in the routine of their daily working lives, often experience extraordinary things. If this book has made them more human, then it has succeeded.
Over the course of more than three years, I interviewed approximately forty taxicab drivers. They were open and generous to a stranger with a microphone who wanted to know about their daily triumphs, trivialities and indignities. One driver was the type of informant non-fiction writers and documentarians hope for but which are a rarity. He availed himself to multiple interviews and introduced me to his friends and co-workers. Thank you, sir. You're the finest kind.
For their constant love and inspiration: my partner, Lesley, and our beautiful daughter, Anja. Without my parents and in-laws, Frank and Marie, the road getting here might've been a rocky one.
Creative Books has shown me unwavering support and patience. Thank you Donna Francis and Pamela Dooley. And Todd Manning and Amy Fitzpatrick, for making my words look sharp.
A writer is only as good as his editors. My friend and colleague, Joan Sullivan, and Ed Kavanagh helped transform the manuscript. Joan deserves special thanks. Through working together on her theatrical adaptation of
Rig: An Oral History of the Ocean Ranger Disaster
, Joan, as well as the cast and crew, instilled in me a confidence that helped bring this book to its conclusion.
The Other Side of Midnight: Taxicab Stories
would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of a number of talented artists.
Darren Whalen designed the graphics. Thanks for always being there.
Wanda Nolan's conversations with a female taxicab driver provided vital observations.
Photographers Jared Reid, Steve Payne, Seamus Heffernan and Jacob White made these taxicab stories far more accessible.
Gerard Collins' keen insight and practical advice made me a better writer.
A lot of people were helpful and encouraging: Joel Thomas Hynes, Ron Hynes, Craig Francis Power, Keith Collier, Katrina Rice, Lorraine Endicott, Jason Conway, Helen Miller, Robin McGrath, Morgan Murray, Christopher Martin, Kerri Cull, Paul Collins, Ryan Cleary, Mary Power and Emily Gushue.
Many organizations also offered support: Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, Helen Creighton Folklore Society, CBC, Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador, City of St. John's Arts Grants Council,
Our Times, This Magazine, The Telegram
, Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Eastern Edge Gallery, The Rooms and the Arts and Culture Centre.